Chapter 3: Breaking Free

Five years later, London, England. The 23rd of August 2013

Hermione's Flat

A rather ugly looking vase was thrown against the living room wall, smashing into many pieces.

"Hey, Aunt Muriel gifted us that vase as an engagement present!", Ron yelled from the other side of the room. I don't know why he is angry about it, and it was a hideous vase that no one liked, but tolerated.

"It's ugly Ron, plus you're a wizard, if you wanted it you could just repair it," This was exhausting, this was all we did any more. It was just one fight, after one fight, after one battle constantly. I'm over it, well I have been over it for a while now, I just hadn't had the courage to break up with him. I'm not sure if Ron had realized it as well, or was utterly oblivious to the fact that our relationship had broken down. We wanted different things, and I wanted to move forward. I was sick of holding back in my career because Ron felt threatened by my success.

"Fine, I'll fix it later. Hermione, I don't want you to go on this dig in Iraq it could be dangerous, I mean, do you know anything about those wizards over there? Who is in the team? Can't somebody else, with more experience lead the team? I'd rather you stay here where you are safe", he prattled on for a bit longer, but I tuned him out pinching the bridge on my nose. I could feel a headache coming on.

I signed before interrupting him.

"Ron listen- no shut up- and let me talk!"

"But Hermione-" damn him for butting in.

"No Ron listen-"

"-," I flicked my wand and silenced him so he couldn't interrupt me again.

"Ron, we are done. It has been for a while now, and I am frustrated. We have tried multiple times over the last five years to make it work, but it is just not. We want different things like I want to go on a dig that is not in England. I am a competent witch who can look after herself. I mean I got you and Harry through Hogwarts and helped defeat Voldemort, I think I can handle an archeological dig. I don't want kids right now, which I know is what you are angling for, but we are only 23 for fuck's sake. We are still kids, we didn't get a normal childhood, and I want to experience that now. I want to live a little", I spoke honestly hoping he would understand where I was coming from. I unsilenced him so he could answer.

"Hermione, I don't want us to be over. I know you can look after yourself, but I want you here where I can keep you safe. I know you don't want kids right now, but would it be so bad if it happened? You could still work, maybe part-time. Mum could look after the baby, and things would work out, we can work this out", he wasn't listening to what I was saying.

"Ron, you're not listening. I can keep myself safe I don't need you or Harry looking out for me, I am more capable at magic than both of you. I want to live, I want to travel, I want to experience different cultures and learn new things, don't you want that too? Having a baby is not on my list of things to do Ron not for another few years", his face grew slightly redder than it already was.

"So that's what you want, you want to see other people! Was I not enough for you that you want another man? Who is he? That you would want to throw away this relationship!", he started yelling. Why is it that is what people always think? Always another person, sometimes the relationship is just not working!

"For christ sake, Ron, there is not another person. I want to do what I said. I want the freedom to do what I need to do. There are things I want to accomplish before settling down", I finished throwing my hands up in the air for emphasis.

"Fine if that's what you want, I will wait until you are ready to settle down," he twisted on the spot and apparated out of her apartment before she could say anything to the contrary.

I threw myself on the sofa in the middle of my living room. Why did he have to make things more complicated than they needed to be? I don't want him to wait; I want him to move on. I want to move on, maybe not right now, but when I feel I'm ready to and not feel guilty about it. Is that too much for the universe to grant?

The next day at the Ministry of Magic, Department of Magical Artefacts and Curse Breaking.

I went and knocked on Silas' office the first opportunity I got. I was determined to take this job offer if it wasn't too late. I no longer had Ron holding her back from anything. This job was the very reason I decided to work in the newly formed department in the first place. It was altered shortly after the war, and it broke away from the Department of Mysteries, why it was connected to that department was a mystery of itself. The DOM still had its own Dark Arts section, which it did on occasion break the curses on objects, but it was mainly for research and storage in the specialist Dark Archives, which most people found incredibly creepy and stayed away from.

Silas Branwell is the head of the department with the sub-department heads:

· Excavation of Artefacts and Procurement (Lewis Oliver- subhead)

· Preservation and Conservation team (Phineas Langford)

· Curse breaking and Dark objects ( Pascale Rousseau)

The door swung open to reveal an older looking gentleman if I had to guess I would say Silas was easily in his 60's which for a wizard is around middle age. He had a kindly disposition but could be firm when the need arose.

"Good Morning, Hermione, what can I do you for?", he gestured for her to enter and sit down in from of his desk.

"Mr Branwell, I wanted to know if the position for the Iraq team was still open?", I was a nervous wreck, and I didn't want to miss out on this dig.

"Ahh Miss Granger, Hermione, alas don't be worried because I kept the spot open hoping you would change your mind," he whipped out a piece of parchment and slid it across his desk, so it was in front of me.

"I just need your signature on this piece of paper, and we are all set to go," he smiled and gave me a quill to sign the paper.

The position for Hermione Granger to join the dig team at the site: Babylon Ruins in Iraq

Team (2) to Babylon Ruins

Hermione Granger -group leader

Sylvester Atkins

Tilly Wood

Elijah Devore

Helping the Iraq ministry to excavate a site around the ruins of Babylon. Hillah, Iraq. Strange magical fluctuations detected and further investigation is required. This dig is set from the dates- the 28th of August till the 12th of November 2013. Accommodations on-site with Magical tents, food, and water, are provided for, on-site for employees in the canteen tent.

For emergencies contact the Magical Iraqi Government, there will be local representatives amongst the dig team available.

By signing this document, you are accepting that this expedition carries risks and possible injury or death. The Ministry is not liable for any damages that may occur except in extreme circumstances, which would be reviewed by the Wizengamot.

To accept this contract, please sign below,

Silas Branwell

Department Head of Magical Artefacts and Curse Breaking

"Thanks, Silas, you have no idea what this means to me, I won't let you down," I smiled broadly. He reached across the desk and offered me his hand.

"Hermione I am sure you won't, you have accomplished much for this department already. Come, I will see you out, and you can start getting your team organised for the trip. It is quite the opportunity, the Department of Magical Cooperation, is hoping this collaboration will pave the way for governments to be more willing to work with one another, and share knowledge, and I am sure you will make this a success", we rose from our chairs and walked towards his door stopping at the threshold.

"Thank you for the kind words Mr Branwell, and I'm sure it will be a success, with the people we have on the team. It will be a joint effort."

"No problem, Hermione, have a good day."

"You too Mr Branwell," I turned headed down the corridor towards my office unable to stop the smile from spreading across my face.

Across the Atlantic, New York City, New York- MACUSA Offices

Tom/Christian, was sitting down at his work station, tinkering with cursed a bracelet. It was quite a nasty curse that was placed upon it. The wife was cheating on her husband with the gardener. God, it was so sickeningly cliché. That is the exact reason he avoided emotions of 'love,' the pettiness of it, the weakness of it. He must give kudos to the husband though, sentenced to life in Vereker Point the American wizarding prison, for murdering his wife with a bracelet. Mind you, the bracelet caused her insides to boil and bleed out of every orifice available. It was quite a disgusting sight; you are reminded of how much blood the human body contains. Still, Vereker Point is not a place I wish to end up; it makes Azkaban look like a sunny vacation.

This will be my third year here in America, and I refuse to adjust my accent for these people. The day I start speaking with an American accent is the day pigs sprout wings and begin shooting arrows from a crossbow. I must say I never thought that I would like Muggle clothing, but I have come quite around to the possibilities of a well-fitted suit. Also, jeans, they are quite comfortable as casual clothing. If I must endure the ramblings of mindless drones, then I would at least like to be comfortable, and with a stiff drink in hand.

During my two years studying with Negrescu, he showed me not just magic, but how to integrate myself in Muggle society. I needed to hide in plain sight primarily. If I was going to gain power in Britain again, then I needed to form a solid foundation of contacts, not just by manipulating them but by creating legitimate emotional attachments- collecting favours if you will. I have been going out of my way to be helpful and do things 'just because', who knew being nice was such hard work. I even learned how to use a muggle computer and a mobile phone. I must say the computer is a useful contraption. I'll relent and say the Muggle's do have some good ideas.

To burn off this stench of being kind, I must confess that I haven't completely turned over a new leaf. I still commit the odd murder here and there, especially when I have had a shit day at work. You know like the common citizenry who sacrifice themselves at the altar of a 9-to-5 job. Never thought I'd be included in those numbers, but none the less here I am committing myself to this craziness.

A knock at the door interrupts my heinous thought analysis of a day job and my place in it.

"Christian, I have a favour to ask…it's discrete…. completely off the books. How do you feel about burglary…?". I didn't answer straight away because at first the question, I'll admit did catch me off guard. Then I wanted to laugh at the absurdity of it because if this man knew who I once was, and partly still am, he would run away screaming. Then I became intrigued, what did he want me to steal?

Moreover, this is where my life as a part-time burglar began.